A longtime aide to Harry Reid is opening up a lobbying firm — and he’s getting a ringing endorsement from the Senate majority leader.

Jake Perry, who has served as senior political adviser to Reid, has launched Jake Perry + Partners. The public affairs and strategic advisory group will focus on energy, gaming, commerce and financial services issues.

A press release announcing the news Friday included an endorsement from Reid, who said he will continue to look to Perry for advice.

“Jake played a critical role in my 2010 election, and has been an important part of the Democrats' success in the Senate,” he said. “He is the very best at what he does and I wish him all the best in his new endeavor. As a native Nevadan, I know that he will remain a close friend and adviser.”

A spokesman for Reid did not respond to a request for comment on how closely the majority leader plans to work with Perry now that he has opened a lobbying shop.

Perry’s career with Reid dates back to 1998, when he worked on the senator’s campaign.

In 2007, the Democrat was executive director of Reid’s leadership PAC before working on the senator’s reelection campaign in 2010. Perry has also previously worked for former Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.).

Perry said Friday that 2013 simply “seemed the right time” to make a career change and that he plans to stay in close contact with his now-former boss as he transitions over to the lobbying world.

“I’m always going to be there for Sen. Reid whenever he needs me in any way. My first job in policy was with Sen. Reid and I’ll always be a phone call away if he ever needs me,” Perry told POLITICO. “He was very supportive, which made the decision of starting this much easier.”

Jake Perry + Partners is currently based in downtown Washington and is aiming to sign on a broad range of clients, including those in the financial services sector. Perry, who still has family in Nevada, says he plans to one day widen his company’s base of operation to his home state as well.

This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 11:12 a.m. on February 1, 2013.